Your handgun and rifle combo
- Thread starter Alan
- Start date
You didn’t set a scenario, but … some sort of bug out survival situation.
I like combos. A S&W 5900 and Marlin Camp 9 would take care of most needs.
A rifle/handgun combo in the same cartridge eliminates the need to carry more than one type of ammo. In this case, they take the same magazine. Choosing a NATO cartridge increases the ability to scrounge or trade.
I like combos. A S&W 5900 and Marlin Camp 9 would take care of most needs.
A rifle/handgun combo in the same cartridge eliminates the need to carry more than one type of ammo. In this case, they take the same magazine. Choosing a NATO cartridge increases the ability to scrounge or trade.
Since you didn’t specify they had to use the same cartridge, I won’t limit myself to just one.
9mm and .308
9mm is currently the most available cartridge, so that would be my handgun choice. I don’t have to worry about grizzlies in the trash cans when I walk outside in the morning, so wouldn’t need a cartridge capable of shooting 300+ grain bullets.
I could go .223 or .308 for rifle, but the .308 would be more forgiving if I have to use components that aren’t my first choice. I can load it with bullets meant for the .30 Carbine, the .30-30, or any .30 caliber I can think of. Good cast bullet loads are easy to come by if that’s the only option. I suppose it could even be loaded with black powder if absolutely necessary.
The rifle I consider my “Universal Rifle” is my SCAR 17, and it’s a .308.
9mm and .308
9mm is currently the most available cartridge, so that would be my handgun choice. I don’t have to worry about grizzlies in the trash cans when I walk outside in the morning, so wouldn’t need a cartridge capable of shooting 300+ grain bullets.
I could go .223 or .308 for rifle, but the .308 would be more forgiving if I have to use components that aren’t my first choice. I can load it with bullets meant for the .30 Carbine, the .30-30, or any .30 caliber I can think of. Good cast bullet loads are easy to come by if that’s the only option. I suppose it could even be loaded with black powder if absolutely necessary.
The rifle I consider my “Universal Rifle” is my SCAR 17, and it’s a .308.
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Matching calibers between your rifle and handgun definitely makes things simpler, especially if you're looking to keep your gear minimal. The Camp 9 and 5900 setup is a great pairing. Same ammo, same mags, and nothing exotic to find if supplies run low. What led you to choose 9mm instead of .40 or .45 for your shared-caliber setup? Is it mainly the NATO/common availability, or do you believe it performs well enough for your needs?
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The SCAR 17 is an absolute powerhouse, no question about it. Personally, I’d probably lean towards something a bit more practical like a well-tuned Howa or a lightweight AR-10 style rifle. Nothing too flashy, just something I’m really familiar with. If 9mm suddenly became hard to find and I had to pick another handgun caliber, I’d likely go for .40 S&W. Not because it’s my top choice, but because it always seems to be the “last one standing” on the shelves when things get a bit chaotic.
My alternate choice for .308 rifle might be my Steyr Scout. It can do about all I can picture needing a .308 to do aside from pouring out a high volume of fire really fast, and it’s lighter than any other .308 I have by far.
If picking a single caliber for everything like Frontiersman, I’d probably go .357 magnum. The .44 mag might be better, because like you say about .40, it’s one of the last on the shelf.
The 9mm is adequate. High capacity in a small package.
If I can find a camp 45, I’d pair it with my 45 gov. Though there is a major difference in capacity. I would probably stick with the 9mm.
Now, if you want to talk lever and six gun combos. We can do 22LR, 22Mag, 32/327, 38/357, 41, 44, 45. Lots of options.
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I've already tried with different calibers, but I keep coming back to 9mm for setups like this. It may not be the best, but every time I run the numbers, the advantages in weight, mag capacity, and its availability always win me over. The idea of a “shared caliber” really hit home for me the first time I paired a handgun with a PCC. There’s something uniquely satisfying about packing a couple of boxes of the same ammo and knowing both guns are good to go.
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I totally get what you mean about the .357. I’ve grown to love its old-school practicality even more since I first got into shooting.
